As expected, there is no 100% in this world. Dejan Kulusevski (26, Tottenham Hotspur) ultimately had his dream of playing in the World Cup dashed by injury.
The Athletic reported on the 13th (Korean time), "The Sweden national football team announced the 26-man roster that will participate in the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup this summer. However, Kulusevski was excluded due to a knee injury. Meanwhile, Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak, Lucas Bergvall, Anthony Elanga, Victor Lindelöf and other Premier League players were included," the report said.
The Swedish Football Association announced the final roster for the CONCACAF World Cup on the same day. The Sweden national team, led by coach Graham Potter, secured a spot in the finals by advancing through the European playoffs, marking their first appearance at the finals since the 2018 Russia World Cup. Sweden will compete in Group F against Tunisia, the Netherlands and Japan for a place in the round of 32 tournament.
There was no place for captain Kulusevski on the 26-man roster decided by coach Potter. He explained the reason for excluding Kulusevski, saying, "Considering what Kulusevski has gone through over the past year, his rehabilitation status and the fact that there are only about four and a half weeks left until the first match, it was a very difficult decision."
Kulusevski was ultimately hampered by injury. He injured his knee last May in a match against Crystal Palace when he collided with Marc Guéhi. At first it did not appear to be a very serious injury. Ange Postecoglou, who was then managing Tottenham, described it simply as a bruise.
However, Kulusevski not only missed the Europa League final but also had to go under the knife. Still, it did not look likely that he would miss the entire 2025-26 season. Last September he posted an update after patellar surgery, saying, "Thank you, God. I'm glad I can definitely see," revealing his condition.
Until then Kulusevski looked like he might return in the second half of the season. However, his comeback kept being delayed, and in March there were reports he had gone under the knife again. Even so, Kulusevski reassured fans, saying, "I understand why people were worried, but they worried for the wrong reasons. This minor surgery allowed us to find the problem, and it's very positive."
He even expressed confidence about playing in the World Cup. On the possibility of the World Cup Kulusevski said, "It's 100%. That's my driving force. Having such an opportunity is truly fantastic. I'm not fully recovered yet, but it's not over. Now the second act has begun. I'm sure I'll be ready to play at the World Cup. If it's God's will, it will happen," showing his determination to play in his first World Cup.
But Kulusevski ultimately did not make Sweden's final roster. No matter how important a player he is, taking a player who has been absent from the pitch for a year to the World Cup is close to a gamble. Even if he returns in time for the World Cup opening, his match sharpness will inevitably be at rock bottom.
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi recently expressed doubts about Kulusevski's World Cup participation. Ahead of the recent match against Leeds he said frankly, "I don't know the exact situation either. I hope it's possible, but I can't say more because I don't know his injury status. It's hard to understand how a player who hasn't played a single match this season could play in the World Cup."
Kulusevski is expected to cheer from off the pitch at the World Cup finals, just as he joined and boosted the Sweden team during the playoffs. The consolation is that his return is not far off. De Zerbi said, "I texted Kulusevski after the Aston Villa match. He said he would probably return next week. I hope he can be with us for the last match. He is an incredible player."
Meanwhile, Bergvall, a 2006-born midfielder who shares the same Tottenham locker room as Kulusevski, succeeded in making the final roster. He has been playing consistently for the Sweden national team, including coming on as a substitute in both playoff matches. He is expected to appear on the World Cup stage before his senior, Kulusevski.<
[Photo] Kulusevski, Sky Sports social media.
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